Denmark coach Lars Sondergaard has labelled Australia’s rout of Canada as “perfect”, but he’s confident his team boast the weapons to beat a Matildas side boosted by the return of Sam Kerr.
World No.13 Denmark secured their passage to the round of 16 of a Women’s World Cup for the first time since 1995 with a 2-0 group stage win over Haiti in Perth on Tuesday night.
By finishing runners-up in Group D behind England, Denmark will now have to take on the might of the Matildas and a sellout crowd of around 80,000 fans at Stadium Australia in Sydney next Monday.
The Matildas’ World Cup hopes were on thin ice following a shock 3-2 loss to Nigeria last week, but they found their groove with a 4-0 demolition of Olympic champions Canada to finish top of Group B.
Kerr didn’t feature in the group stage after injuring her calf on the eve of the tournament, but she’s set to be unleashed against Denmark.
“She can score goals, she has a fantastic header, she’s quick … she is perhaps the best striker in the world,” Sondergaard said.
“Of course you have to have an eye on her – if she’s fit of course.
“We have played Australia twice in the last couple of years, and Sam Kerr played in both of those games.
“So we know how to deal with her. Even though it’s difficult, we know how she plays.
“We know she can be out of a game and then suddenly she’s in the right place at the right moment.
“If she gets chances like some of the Haitian players got today, I think she probably would score.”
Sondergaard was glowing in his praise of Australia’s display against Olympic champions Canada.
“Their performance against Canada was perfect in a way,” he said.
“The whole nation are standing behind them, and I think that’s important for them.
“It could also be pressure if the game goes into the second half and it’s still 0-0.”
Star Denmark striker Pernille Harder knows all about Kerr’s talents after playing alongside the Australian star for three years at Women’s Super League powerhouse Chelsea.
“She’s an amazing player, an amazing person,” Harder, who has just joined Bayern Munich, said.
“I’m looking forward to seeing her, but not to play against her.
“She’s a great striker. She knows where the goal is. She has some unbelievable skills with her header.”
As for Denmark dealing with a heaving pro-Matildas crowd?
“I think I’ll just imagine they’re cheering Denmark instead of Australia,” Harder said with a laugh.
Denmark’s defence looked shaky against Haiti, especially in the second half.
But Sondergaard is confident in his team’s abilities and talent.
“We have a pretty good defence, we have a player like Pernille, who can decide games,” Sondergaard said.
“I think we have a good chance, but we also know it’s going to be difficult, and we’re looking forward to the game.”
© AAP 2023
